Best French Press 2022 (Buying Guide Included)
In this review, we’re going to take a look at the features, pros, and cons of the top examples and try to determine the best French press on the market today. By the end of this review, you’ll have a sense of which are the best products to buy and how you can benefit from freshly made coffee every morning using a French press.
French presses, also known as cafetieres, are tools for brewing coffee that don’t require an expensive coffee grinder or a filter. French presses try to give you the best of both worlds. They retain the natural oils found in the coffee bean while sparing you the expense of a fully-fledged coffee machine.
A Spotlight On Some of The Best French Press Machines of 2020
Secura SFP-17DS Stainless Steel French Press
When Secura was designing the SFP-17DS, they realized that many of the popular French presses on the market weren’t taking advantage of thermal technology. The company, therefore, set about creating a French press that would maintain internal temperature and keep a body of water warm on the inside, but make the exterior cool to the touch. They wanted people to be able to pick up their French press safely, even if it did contain near-boiling liquid.
Secura, therefore, equipped their French press with a double wall. Like a Thermos flask, this double-wall keeps the heat inside the press, preventing it from being lost to the environment. This feature keeps the coffee warm and allows the brew stand for longer – perfect for a leisurely breakfast.
The whole device is made of stainless steel, helping to maintain the freshness and purity of the coffee, including the filter structure. The steel mesh traps the smallest coffee grounds, helping to create a rich coffee flavor, without any large particles contaminating the drink.
The SFP-17DS from Secura is a professional-looking product, but it’s also small. The brand likes to market it as “perfect for work or travel,” but many will find the 500 ml capacity too low, especially if sharing with another. The product is, therefore, limited to solo use, which is a shame.
What it lacks in versatility, however, it makes up in strength. If you’re the sort of person who has a habit of getting through multiple French presses throughout the year, then you may benefit from the Secura. The press offers all of the advantages of a professional cafetiere, including the ability to use it daily without worrying about it falling to bits. But it is also reassuringly over-engineered, with the filter and casing far more robust than practically any other product on the market right now outside of the professional setting.
Aicok Double-Wall 18/10 Stainless Steel French Press
Aicok, like Secura, offers a double-wall design, retaining heat. But the great thing about the Aicok is the fact that it comes in a one-liter size, perfect for two or even three people having breakfast together.
The quality of the construction of the Aicok is similar to that of the Secura. It too uses stainless steel that won’t rust or fade. Aicok stands by its products and offers a three-year warranty which is substantially longer than many other vendors on the market. The company says that this allows people to “order without worry.”
If there are any negatives associated with the Aicoke Double-Wall, they’re minor. Some people, for instance, might not like the minimalist design of the product. While it’s very professional, it lacks much personality or zest, which some customers may find off-putting. The company also apologizes for the price of its French presses but says that you get what you pay for – something that you probably already knew anyway.
The main advantage of the Aicok is the fact that you get all the accessories you need with the product. These include a coffee scoop and multiple steel mesh filters (just in case you need to change them at any point). You can also buy additional accessories and press replacement parts from Aicok directly. It’s a nice touch if you’re planning on using your cafetiere for a long time to come.
Another advantage of the Aicok is the superior filtration system. The company has invested significantly in creating steel mesh that is not only durable but also fine enough to remove all of those annoying grounds in your drink. While some of the finer steel meshes can deform with frequent use, this one doesn’t.
- 【4 Minutes is All It Takes】As for our coffee fanatics, you now always have your fresh-made coffee at hand, no matter where you are and without standing in line or breaking your bank. Plus, the stylish design of our French-Press can be a big upgrade to your home-décor.
- 【Made of Reliable Material】Glass that is too thin or cheaply made would let out the heat almost instantly, which would affect the taste of your coffee. Our carafe, however, is made of heat-resistant borosilicate glass which keeps the water hot during the brewing process. Also, the thickened glass bottom tremendously extends the product service life and our handle is secured with a stainless-steel frame to keep the beaker from falling out.
- 【Innovative 4 Level Filtration Systems】- Poorly made filters often break which results in getting a mug filled with coffee grounds. This is why we developed a sophisticated double stainless-steel filter that ensures that no coffee grounds are getting in your coffee anymore. Experience an incomparable delicious, smooth and full-flavored coffee. The 34 ounce volume measurements on the carafe serve as an exact guidance for your water measurements.
- 【User-Friendly Coffee Maker】Our BAYKA French Press is incredibly easy to use that it takes only four steps to make a cup of coffee. It is suitable for both, beginners and experienced coffee drinkers. Every part of the press can be disassembled for cleansing purposes so that the small coffee grounds can be cleaned out from the filter layers and even the tiniest spots.
- 【Why do We Recommend it?】Our French-Press comes with an affordable price, a classy design and it is very user-friendly. It is, hence, not just a great gadget for on the go but a nice addition to your kitchen at home. Ultimately, it can serve you as a wonderful gift for your beloved ones, family members or even as a treat to yourself.
- If you really care about your coffee – We tested enough mechanisms and filters to make your head spin to tweak and uniquely design our press with a triple layered filter structure to stop the sediment, but let the yummy coffee oils through for a full-bodied delicious brew that will make you a very happy camper. And to share the java love, we give you a bonus matching travel canister that holds enough beans or grounds for two full batches.
- More thicker, More heavier, Build to last – Our huge capacity professional grade 304 18/10 double-layered stainless-steel baby will keep your coffee hot for 60 minutes longer than thinner steel and glass models. And it’s drop proof, rust proof, and probably bulletproof (be nice).
- Multiple Uses - Besides using the french press as a coffee maker, it is also handy appliance to make tea, mct oil coffee, hot chocolate, cold brew, frothed milk, almond milk, cashew milk, fruit infusions, and plant and herbal drinks as it seals in their flavors and aromas
- Perfect for any occasion - For house warmings, weddings, birthdays, holidays and all coffee/tea lovers & healthy foodies! Two bonus stainless steel screens and the matching travel container are included with every purchase while quantities last.
- European Engineered - Our total satisfaction promise covers all our products. So choose Mueller with confidence and look forward to a lifetime of java pleasure.
- French press: Chambord French press brews a premium cup of Coffee in just 4 minutes, simply add course ground Coffee, hot water and press
- Stainless steel: 3-part stainless steel plunger has a mesh filter that helps extract your coffee's aromatic oils and subtle flavors instead of being absorbed by a paper filter. Made of plastic
- Durable design: Coffee press features Bodum Patented safety lid to keep contents from spilling and is dishwasher safe for easy cleaning
- Maximum flavor: pressed Coffee extracts the perfect amount of essentials oils and acids from the Coffee bean for maximum flavor; the preferred method for brewing for Coffee enthusiasts everywhere
- Servings: premium French press Coffee maker makes 8 cups of Coffee, 4 oz each
- ☕SUPER FILTERING - The quality of the coffee press greatly depends on the quality of the filter element. So the selection of springs is extremely important for the filtering of coffee powder, which will directly affect the taste of coffee. Our perforated plate could filter out big coffee grounds, and the 80 mesh filter could filter out tiny coffee ground
- ☕EASY TO USE - The French Press is the easiest to concentrate on the condition of the beans among the many devices. You can see the amount of foam (crema) after the coffee touches the water, and how the coffee floats on the water and slowly sinks. QUQIYSO coffee press is perfect for both professional barista and novice coffee lovers
- ☕MULTIPLE USES - Besides using the french press as a coffee maker, it is also handy appliance to make tea, hot chocolate, cold brew, frothed milk, almond milk, cashew milk, fruit infusions, and plant and herbal drinks
- ☕CARE INSTRUCTIONS - The glass beaker, filter and plunger are dishwasher safe. Lid should be hand washed with a non-abrasive sponge and a mild dish soap, careful to avoid rough scrubbers and brushes as this can scratch and dull the finish
- 💝CUSTOMER SUPPORT - We care about your experience with our products. Our French press coffee makers come with 2-Year Replacement Policy. For ANY quality-related issues, we will send you a replacement for free or give you a full refund!
- Secura stainless steel French Press coffee maker is made from top quality 18/10 stainless steel, both the interior and exterior. It is made to outlast other coffee makers.
- 3-LAYERED STAINLESS STEEL FILTER STRUCTURE traps the smallest coffee grounds to produce an exceptional full-bodied flavor.
- BONUS Stainless Steel Screen included with this French coffee press. Filter screen is easy to disassemble and clean. Stacking one or more screens together gives your coffee espresso a more refined taste.
- This French press maker comes with a Cool touch handle and knob for comfortable and safe pouring.
- The capacity of Secura Stainless-steel French coffee press is 34 OUNCE/ 1000ML. All the parts of this French coffee maker are DISHWASHER SAFE.
Mueller French Press Coffee Maker
Mueller, as you might have guessed from the name, is a German company. And like many Germany companies, it has a passion for quality.
The main selling point of the company’s French press is the material specification. Mueller says that it’s coffee maker is 20 percent heavier and 33 percent thicker than the competition. The company has a passion for making cafetieres last a long as possible, and so has tweaked practically every aspect of the design.
Mueller, for instance, tested dozens of different filter styles, shapes, and materials during the development of its French press to try to find ways of getting it to last longer. Each filter design is optimized to improve longevity while allowing the user to filter out all the small particles in their coffee. There’s no doubt that this is a product that has been engineered from the ground up and provides perhaps the best quality in the entire industry.
There are other benefits of the Mueller too. The main one is the fact that you’re not limited to using it for coffee only. Because the press folds away neatly, you’re also able to double it up as a tea or hot chocolate pot or use it to make herbal infusions. The choice is yours.
Mueller also supplies a small container for your fresh coffee beans along with the pot as well as a host of accessories to make the whole process easier.
Is there anything to dislike about this press? Two things actually, though both are minor. The first gripe has to do with the press itself. While the mesh is fine (and, therefore, great for removing coffee particles), it takes a lot of force to push it down. People with weak wrists or arms could, therefore, struggle.
The other issue is that there are no fluid measurements on the press. It’s hard to tell how much water you’re adding or even how much the press contains. At a guess, you’d say that it was 32 ounces, but no markings or documentation confirms that.
Veken French Press Coffee Maker
Unlike the French presses that we’ve seen so far in this review, Veken does not use a double-skinned stainless steel container. Instead, it uses the traditional glass walls, complete with measurement markings, like the cafetieres of old.
The benefits of glass are obvious. Glass allows you to see what you’re doing when you press down on the plunger. It lets you determine whether the press has done its job of removing the grounds from the liquid.
Glass also reduces the noise of using the French press. Many steel varieties make a scraping noise as you push on the filter. Glass varieties do not – or if they do, it’s much quieter.
Of course, you miss out on many advantages of stainless steel when you choose a glass cafetiere. The main issue with the Veken French Press Coffee Maker is the lack of insulation. While the heatproof glass will happily contain boiling liquid all day long, it does allow the heat to escape faster than a steel device, preventing it from being travel-friendly. The fact that it lacks a double insulating wall also means that the coffee cools more quickly, making it more difficult to have a long, relaxed breakfast. You know that you have a limited time to drink your coffee before it goes cold.
On the plus side, however, Veken includes a range of innovative accessories to go with its Fresh press. You get a wooden spoon, measuring spoon and milk frother added. Perhaps the most interesting of all of the accessories is the sponge cleaning brush. Veken is keen to point out that it’s French press is made using stainless steel components that will not rust. The problem, however, is that coffee has a nasty habit of staining “stainless steel” a brown color after many uses. Veken, therefore, includes a brush that allows you to clean the bolt at the bottom of the filter, and the filter itself, should it start turning a murky brown.
Bodum Chambord French Press
Just like the Veken, Bodum also believes in glass-walled French presses. The company’s “Chambord” press is enormous. The 51-ounce French press is among the largest of its type on the market and can provide enough coffee for twelve 4-ounce cups.
Compared to all of the other French presses in this review, Bodum’s is arguably the most stylish. It has that quintessential French press appearance with the domed lid, spherical plunger handle, and steel girders supporting the glass container. The black, rounded handle completes the look. It’s a French press for die-hard coffee enthusiasts who want the original experience and don’t want to suffer the indignity of using a modern, steel-bodied equivalent. Bodum says that the design harks back to the original used in France in the 1950s.
It’s not all good news, though. Being a glass cafetiere, it comes with all of the limitations of that variety, including the fact that you have to drink your coffee quickly to avoid it going cold. The design also means that it’s not a particularly portable cafetiere. It’s not something, for instance, that you could take on camp with you, unlike many of the over-engineered products described above.
There’s also a slight design flaw in the Bodum. Most French presses allow you to depress the plunger to the floor of the device. With the Bodum, however, you can’t. It stops just short, something that many coffee aficionados may find annoying.
Buyer Guide
What are the advantages of making fresh coffee with a French press as opposed to other methods?
With coffee shops, home coffee grinders, and filter coffee available, you may wonder why people still want to use French presses to make their coffee. It turns out that French presses offer a host of advantages over other methods.
The first significant advantage of French presses is the unique coffee taste and aroma. The way that French presses work is different from filter coffee or coffee from an espresso machine. Unlike filter coffee, the natural oils from the coffee bean enter the drink, helping to give it a fuller, more complete flavor. And, by contrast to the coffee made by an espresso machine, the taste is gentler. Espresso machines work by forcing boiling water at high pressure through fresh grounds. While this might release the oils, it also shuttles many of the other bitter compounds into the drink which wouldn’t be there otherwise. A French press lets the grounds brew in the water passively, gently releasing their flavor.
French presses also possess a range of practical advantages over filter coffee and espresso machines. For starters, you can take them with you wherever you go, especially the travel-friendly stainless steel variety. Nothing is stopping you from popping your French press in the car and taking it with you on a picnic, so long as you have a source of boiling water.
When it comes to cleaning, French presses put you at an advantage there too. Cleaning a fully-fledged coffee machine can be a challenge, but with a French press, it’s easy. You just clean the glass or steel container in the same way that you would any other pot or jug, and, if you want, put the steel press mesh in the dishwasher. You don’t have to spend hours scrubbing coffee stains off the surface of machine components, as you do with espresso machines.
What about the health benefits of coffee made in a French press? Here too, the method may be superior. When you brew coffee in a French press, you provide the ideal conditions for all the essential oils and antioxidants in the coffee bean to filter out into the surrounding liquid. Because French presses use only the mechanical power of the person operating them, you don’t risk losing or damaging any of the beneficial phytonutrients in the coffee. Filtering coffee or pushing it through the beans at high pressure may degrade some of the beneficial compounds in the drink researchers believe are good for health.
What are the pros and cons?
Let’s summarize some of the pros and cons of using a French press to make coffee.
Pros
- It helps to make coffee healthier by preserving essential nutrients
- You have more control over the temperature of the water, allowing you to achieve the perfect taste for your brewed coffee
- French presses are one of the most portable methods for brewing coffee, allowing you to enjoy it on the go
- Steel-sided double-walled French presses keep your coffee hot for longer, allowing you to enjoy fresh coffee while on the road, hours after you brew it
- It’s easier to clean French presses compared to many other means of making coffee, particularly using espresso machines
- Coffee made in a French press has a unique taste and aroma that some coffee aficionados love and prefer to standard espresso-machine coffee
- Large French presses allow you to make up to twelve, four-ounce cups of coffee at a time, making them ideal for large gatherings
Cons
- There’s a risk of sediment building up in the bottom of your cup. While French presses use fine steel meshes, the odd ground could get through. Your coffee, therefore, could contain “bits.”
- Cleaning coffee grounds away isn’t as easy as you might hope when you’re out and about or traveling with your French press. You can’t always wash the coffee ground down the sink. Sometimes you have to scoop them out of the bottom of the container using a spoon once you’re finished with the device. If you don’t have a bit nearby, you could find yourself stuck.
- You have to consider many more factors than when using a drip machine or a Nespresso. When making coffee with a French press, you have to take account of the grind size, filter size, water temperature, and how long you leave it to brew.
Conclusion
French presses are, in general, a great way to get your coffee. Many people prefer drinking their coffee from French presses than other methods, thanks to the unique qualities that it gives their drink.
It’s not all rosy, though. While today you might be able to buy some exceptionally high-quality French presses, you need to know what you’re doing if you want to use them properly. You have to become an expert and learn about brewing, the type of ground to use, and timings. It’s not as simple as pressing a button and letting a machine do it all for you. French presses are much lower-tech.
The great thing about them, though, is that they let you enjoy your coffee whenever you happen to be. With a French press, you can sit down an enjoy breakfast on your terrace with your family, without having to dart to and fro from the kitchen.
Last update on 2023-03-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
